Key facts
- James Brass, 47, was arrested for allegedly paying people on Skid Row to forge voter signatures.
- Brass allegedly orchestrated the scheme with signature collectors Courtney Price, 49, and Jateisha Herron, 33.
- The group allegedly used personal information from a public database to instruct individuals to create fraudulent petition signatures.
- Brass reportedly pocketed $41,000 from the operation.
- Brass and Herron were also charged with identity fraud, while Price faces a conspiracy charge.
- Prosecutor Bill Essayli stated the charged conduct undermines voter confidence in election systems.
A California petition worker, James Brass, 47, has been arrested and charged with identity fraud for allegedly paying individuals on Los Angeles’ Skid Row to forge voter signatures. Prosecutors claim Brass orchestrated the scheme with signature collectors Courtney Price, 49, and Jateisha Herron, 33, to qualify a ballot measure. According to a grand jury indictment, the trio would obtain voter information from a public database and instruct homeless individuals on Skid Row to use this information to create fraudulent signatures. Brass allegedly instructed Herron to conceal the origin of the signatures, telling her to avoid mentioning downtown Los Angeles and instead reference Inglewood and Torrance. The indictment states Brass pocketed $41,000 from the operation. Brass and Herron face charges of identity fraud and conspiracy to commit identity fraud, while Price is charged with conspiracy. Brass has reportedly pleaded not guilty and is out on a $10,000 bond. Prosecutor Bill Essayli stated that the alleged actions undermine voter confidence in election systems and that investigations will continue. This arrest follows a similar case where Brenda Armstrong, 64, pleaded guilty to paying individuals on Skid Row to register and sign petitions. In San Francisco, petition canvassers were also reportedly incentivized with cash and food to collect signatures from homeless individuals, leading to a city investigation.